Sarawakians going into swiftlet farming in a big way

Monday January 17, 2011
The Star
By JACK WONG
jackwong@thestar.com.my


KUCHING: Sarawakians are flocking to the lucrative swiftlet farming business as more and more bird houses are being set up in the state.

Sarawak Bird's Nest Suppliers Association secretary Colin Wong Chung Onn said there was an estimated 5,000 swiftlet houses statewide with many more under construction.

“The number of swiftlet houses has more than doubled compared with a year ago,” he told StarBiz.

About 60% of these houses are found in the Mukah and Sarikei divisions in central Sarawak mostly along the coastal areas.


Unprocessed swiftlet nests have a market price of between RM3,000 and RM5,000 per kg compared with at least RM7,000 per kg for processed nests.


Unlike Peninsula Malaysia, Sarawak is a late starter in commercial swiftlet farming.

It is learnt that the state authorities, in consultation with the industry players, are drafting comprehensive guidelines to regulate the development of the industry.

Acting on environmental and health concerns, the state authorities had investigated more than 400 illegal farms last year, said Sarawak Assistant Minister for Planning and Resource Management Naroden Majais.

He said the construction of swiftlet farms was being closely monitored to prevent illegal operations.

Naroden said two licences were needed for commercial swiftlet farming - one to construct the building for the swiftlets to nest and the second for the rearing of the birds.

Some 250 licences to construct buildings and a handful to rear the birds have been approved.

Wong said big-time investors were constructing double or three-storey concrete shophouses to rear the swiftlets while the smaller ones, like farmers and fishermen, were building wooden houses.

Unoccupied or under-utilised shophouses and residential houses have been converted into swiftlet farms.

He said it would cost about RM400,000 (excluding land), to build a three-storey shophouse (36ft x 76ft) for swiftlet farming.

Sarawak's first swiftlet eco-park, a RM40mil joint-venture between state Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and Borneo Resources Synergy Sdn Bhd is expected to be ready in Balingian, Mukah division within the Sarawak Corridor for Renewable Energy by next year.

The park will have 40 three-storey units and 15 three-storey bungalow units.

The SEDC has been tasked by the Sarawak government to spearhead the development of swiftlet farming on a well-planned, sustainable and eco-friendly manner.

Similar eco-parks have been planned for other parts of the state.

Wong said some pioneer swiftlet houses in Paloh, Mukah division could each produce up to 3kg of swiftlet nests a month.

“Unprocessed swiftlet nests fetch a market price of between RM3,000 and RM5,000 per kg compared with at least RM7,000 per kg for the processed nests.”

Some of the raw nests are being sold by middlemen to Indonesia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

He said based on a conservative estimate of the 5,000 bird houses producing an average 0.5kg of nests a month, this would mean a yearly production of 3,000kg. At an average market price of RM3,500 per kg, it would generate RM10.5mil per annum for the Sarawak economy.

Sarawak's production of swiftlet nests, Naroden said was 2,854kg last year, up from 2,095kg in 2008.

For the first 10 months of last year, 1,757kg valued at RM7mil were produced.

Naroden said China was the biggest market for edible swiftlet nests, followed by Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia.

Wong said the production of swiftlet nests from caves, like Niah Cave in Miri, had been on the decline over the years because of over-harvesting.

Although swiftlet farming is potentially lucrative, he said there were investors who had not been successful in their ventures due to several factors.

“Choosing the right location to site the swiftlet houses is vital, otherwise it will take a longer time to attract the birds.

“Other important factors are the design and conditions, like temperature and humidity, of the houses,” he added.

According to an investor, the returns from successful swiftlet farming was comparatively higher than most businesses.

He said a two-storey swiftlet house (20ft x 60ft which costs between RM250,000 and RM300,000 to build) could produce between 36kg and 48kg of nests a year (worth between RM144,000 and RM192,000 based on RM4,000 per kg) from the fourth year of operation.

“Once in operation,it will take at least 18 months for the first collection of the nests. Production will gradually increase with more swiftlets nesting,” he added.
For the most successful operator, it would take about five years to fully recover the costs to build the swiftlet houses and related facilities, adding that from then on, the profits would be high.

National guidelines not swift in coming

Tuesday July 27, 2010
The Star


PENANG will seek the input from stakeholders once it gets hold of the National Guidelines For Swiftlet Breeding which was passed in Cabinet about two weeks ago.

State Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the state was given a briefing by National Veterinary Department representatives prior to the passing of the new guidelines but “without much details”.

“Our officer have been requesting for the new guidelines these past two weeks but to date, we have yet to receive a copy.

“During the briefing, we also expressed our dismay that the consultation for the guidelines did not involve any heritage NGOs or World Heritage Office representatives.

“Those consulted were mainly swiftlets’ industry players,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Chow added that the industry players’ main focus is on the monetary side even though they claimed that by turning old houses into a bird house, they are doing heritage protection a service.

“But the bird houses make it a challenge for people to live, at times forcing the neighbours to move, and thus affect the living heritage aspect,” he said.

It was reported that at least 8% out of an estimated 3,500 abandoned pre-war buildings in inner George Town have been restored and rehabilitated by bird nest breeders.

Penang Heritage Trust council member Rebecca Duckett-Wilkinson said the health and safety issues are among the main concerns.

“Imagine the pollution from noise and bird droppings. It is in the state’s hands to make a policy and set a guideline on swiftlet houses.”

Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry president Carole Loh had said that the droppings outside belonged to pigeons, adding that swiftlets are very particular and only release their droppings in the house.

She had also suggested that the state Health Department issue breeders with a health certificate which can be revoked if the cleanliness is not maintained.

Ban all swiftlet farming activities

Wednesday May 5, 2010
The Star


SAHABAT Alam Malaysia (SAM) refers to the proposed move by the Penang Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow to move swiftlet breeding activities out of the urban areas.

The problem of swiftlet farming in urban areas has been happening for a long time. However, the problem lies not with the birds but with people when they convert buildings in urban areas into swiftlet farms to harvest the nests. The main issue affecting swiftlet farming operators in the various states is a combination of big profits and a lack of legislation governing the industry, which has seen countless swiftlet farms established illegally in populated areas.

Swiftlet farmers simulate the conditions of a cave in their buildings by installing humidifiers and boarding up vents and windows, leaving only small holes for the swiftlets to enter and exit. Speakers are installed to broadcast bird calls which help lure the swiftlets into the buildings to set up nests.

This has raised the ire of residents affected by the loud noise while the setting up of swiftlet farms in towns may also disrupt business, particularly those in the food business.

Many of these illegal farm operators, in a rush to make a fortune from the swifltet nests, often neglect the welfare and well-being of the birds. Due to their slow breeding cycle, edible nest swiftlets take about one month to build their nests and six weeks for their eggs to hatch.

Some impatient swiftlet farmers may not wait that long and they remove the nests even before the laying and hatching of eggs, or for the fledglings to mature. Causing unnecessary pain, stress or distress to the birds is an offence under the Animal Act 2006. There is hardly any monitoring of the activities of bird nest collectors by either the Veterinary Services department or the Wildlife Department, so how could these two departments ensure that harvesting is done without disturbances to the birds and their young? Moreover, since many are operating without licences, it is difficult to monitor their practices.

Monitoring and inspections are crucial to ensure that taking of nests are done without causing harm to the birds, their eggs and young. Many of these ignorant and irresponsible farmers may not conform to good farming practices to ensure that birds are not deprived of the basic necessities or subjected to cruelty or abuse and mishandling.

In view of all these concerns, SAM reiterates its stand for a ban on swiftlet farming activities and to allow the birds to live in their natural habitat.

SM MOHD IDRIS,
President, Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Penang.

Penang may follow Sabah in disallowing farming in urban areas

Wednesday April 21, 2010
The Star
By WINNIE YEOH


winnie@thestar.com.my

THE moratorium on swiftlet farming should not be taken as a sign that the state government is allowing the activity in urban areas, said Penang Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow.

“The moratorium has been extended thrice as the state is still waiting for the national guidelines on the industry from the Agriculture Department and the Veterinary Services Department.

“The state recognises the swiftlet farming industry as a revenue earning trade but it should be done properly. We are mulling over the idea of moving the industry out of urban areas such as George Town,” he said when contacted on Monday.


Lucrative industry: Young swiftlets in bird nests in one of the swiftlet houses in George Town.

Chow said the breeding activities should preferably be moved to an agriculture area, adding that there was no specifically zoned areas for swiftlet breeding in the state as this comes under the jurisdiction of the Veterinary Services Department.

He was responding to a decision by the Sabah Cabinet to ban swiftlet breeding from major urban areas three weeks ago.

Its Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai had placed the ban within all major towns, citing environmental and health threats posed by the birds as well as them being a nuisance.

Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) president Khoo Salma Nasution said the organisation lauded the move by Sabah and had been campaigning for an end to swiftlet farming in George Town.

“We hope the precedent set by the Sabah Government would be acknowledged and emulated by the Penang Government.”

Meanwhile, Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry (ASNI) president Carole Loh said the existing houses in George Town should be allowed to continue because these birdhouses were set up following a 2005 state government guidelines.

“The guidelines allowed swiftlet farming and many birdhouses were erected on that basis.

“The swiftlet farmers have invested a lot of money and it takes at least three years to see returns.

“The association is all for guidelines and regulations, and we are ready to work with the local authority to maintain the houses,” she said.

Guidelines on swiftlet farming to be drawn up

Thursday April 22, 2010
The STar


KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is drawing up guidelines on swiftlet farming as the state attempts to soothe ruffled feathers following a ban on birds’ nest ranching in towns.

State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Mohd Nor said the guidelines would be drawn up with the Wildlife Department with the aim of encouraging a systematic development of the lucrative birds’ nest industry.

“I want to stress that the ban on swiftlet farms in urban centres is not a move against the industry. We are very aware of the economic potential,” he told the state assembly.

He stressed that the state government wanted the industry to be regulated in a systematic manner.

“Our decision to ban such farming activities is for environmental, health and cleanliness purposes in the city and towns.”

The state, he said, had meant well in banning the farming of swiftlets in shophouses, commercial centres and other urban centres as it had the public’s welfare in mind.

However, the ban drew flak from businesses involved in the industry who complained about loss of income

Need to ensure safety in swiftlet industry

=Mar 25, 2010
The Star

KOTA KINABALU: Swiftlet farming is a lucrative industry but steps must be taken to ensure it does not have a negative impact on the environment and the people.

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Peter Pang En Yin said there was a need to make sure the activity was carried out in specific areas.

“We have to bear in mind that local authorities do not allow swiftlet farming at shoplots or commercial lots in townships and urban areas as these properties are gazetted for residential, commercial, industrial and tourism purposes.

“They are not zoned for swiftlet farming so I advise those in the industry to wait for the endorsement of the Swiftlet Industry Guidelines (SIG) by the Federal Cabinet,” said Pang, who is also the State Youth and Sports Minister.

With SIG, local authorities could determine the zones allowed for swiflet farming and those involved in the industry would have a set of regulations to adhere to, he added.

Sabah Swiftlet House and Bird’s Nest Industry Association president George Ng had said that the SIG, reported to have the full support of the health, agriculture and agro-based industries and the Housing and Local Government Ministry, was supposed to be tabled at the Federal Cabinet meeting at the end of last month but was delayed.

If accepted, it would give the industry the much-needed framework to operate in a sustainable manner and put Malaysia ahead of leading bird’s nest producers like Indonesia and Thailand, he said.

The guidelines would also provide a framework to supervise the industry in a holistic way in terms of licensing, sampling, production and export particularly to China, he added.

Pang, the Karamunting assemblyman, said he was aware of developments in the industry and stressed he had nothing against the industry.

He pointed out that allowing swiftlet farming in industrial or densely-populated areas could have a negative impact in the health, business and safety aspects.

“We know how valuable birds’ nest are and this could trigger an increase in criminal activities in towns or industrial areas where swiftlet farming is allowed,” he said, adding that people would be worried about the droppings and noise from the birds.

Pang who is also Kosan chairman, said the state agency experienced some setbacks as a result of a swiftlet farm in an industrial area in Sandakan.

Kosan had rented four ground-floor shop lots in an industrial zone in Sandakan to expand its production line and provide jobs for 80 youths in the district.

“The management abandoned its plans after realising that the upper floors were occupied by a swiftlet farmer. Kosan wanted to avoid any health risks to its employees,” he said.

In response to Ng’s claim that the industry could boost property prices in Sabah, Pang said he was not convinced as swiftlet farming could cause the opposite effect.

“Zoning an area for swiflet farming can have a negative effect with property owners disposing their properties and tenants moving away.

An area for human occupation would be taken over by birds and this could cause a whole township to be deserted, he lamented.

Pang said a clean and healthy environment was important for the state’s tourism industry and tourists might feel uneasy if the places they visited had health risks because of swiflet farming.

“We do not want to see swiftlet houses next to hotels, seafood restaurants and shopping malls,” he said, adding that swiftlet farmers should not fall prey to agents or advisers in the industry.

Wait for the guidelines to be drawn up and consult local authorities before setting up business, he said.

Lucrative but risky business

Wednesday January 13, 2010
The Star
By ANN TAN


THE bird nest industry may be booming within the George Town heritage enclave but it is still a trade secret among breeders.

Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry (ASNI) president Carole Loh said there was no right formula in attracting the swiftlets and those who had found the technique would usually not teach others.


Loh looking up at the birds nests in one of the swiftlet houses in George Town.

“The business may look good on paper. It may bring high returns but it is a risky investment as the success rate is only 20% to 30%.

“To invest and buy a bird house, one has to obtain a bank loan as it involves a huge investment. Then, one may have to wait for up to three years before one can get some returns. So within this period, there is no income,” she said.

Loh said there were many cases where swiftlets had failed “set up shop” and the investors were forced to shut down because they were unable to service their bank loans.

“Swiftlets lay eggs three times a year and two eggs at a time. It takes between 30 and 45 days for them to build the nest and another 45 days for the chicks to mature,” she said.


A baby swiftlet in its nest.

“Prior to harvesting, the breeders must ensure that there are no eggs or chicks in it for them to have a chance to grow.

“The harvested bird nests are then soaked in water for it to expand so that the feathers and dirt could be separated. This is usually done by a middle man who would then sell the nutritious product to others.”

Eating the swiftlet’s nest is believed to help maintain skin tone, balance qi (life energy) and reinforce the immune system.

It is also believed to strengthen the lungs and prevent coughs, improve the constitution and prolong life.

Commenting on claims that the industry is health hazard and a threat to heritage, Loh said it was not justified to focus on a few errant swiftlet breeders.

“It has been estimated that at least 8.3% out of an estimated 3,500 abandoned pre-war buildings have been re-stored and rehabilitated by bird nest breeders.


Swiftlets flying to their nests on the ceiling beams.

“There are many swiftlet houses in pre-war buildings which have been beautifully restored in keeping with its heritage features,” she said.

A recent visit by The Star to the swiftlets’ breeding ground saw the houses well renovated and maintained. There was also no stagnant water in the premises as breeders used humidifier machines to control the humidity.

“Heritage has to be sustainable. It is not enough to have a heritage status if there are no businesses that will bring the right level of income to support and sustain heritage development,” she said.

On the matter of breeders using tweeters to attract the birds to the houses, Loh said the state government could come out with a directive to limit the decibel so that it would not disturb the neighbours.

“And the droppings that we see outside are actually that of the pigeons’ as swiftlets are very parti-cular and they only release their droppings in the house.

“The breeders clean the bird houses weekly as the swiftlets like a clean premises. The Health Department could issue breeders with a health certificate which can be revoked if the cleanliness is not maintained,” she said.

Relief for Malacca swiftlet breeders

Tuesday December 29, 2009
The Star
By MARTIN CARVALHO and ALLISON LAI


MALACCA: Swiftlet breeders operating within the historic city’s World Heritage Site heritage zones can breath a sigh of relief — the state has decided to defer the Dec 31 deadline for them to vacate the area.

The reprieve is possible because state authorities are still waiting for guidelines on swiftlet breeding at the 18th century Dutch-styled homes in the city’s core heritage zones.

State Rural Development and Agriculture Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Hidhir Abu Hasan said the situation in Malacca was different from other parts of the country because of heritage concerns.

“Swiftlet breeding and bird’s nest harvesting are regulated by the Agriculture Department and the Veterinary Services Department.

“However, we also have to consider the heritage factor because there are breeders who operate within the heritage zones,” he said.

The state decided to defer the Dec 31 deadline until the Heritage Department issued the guidelines, he said, adding that plans for a proposed relocation site for the affected operators were also on hold.

There are some 100 swiftlet breeders registered with the Malacca Bird’s Nest Merchants Association, 17 of them operating in the heritage zones.

Meanwhile, Malacca Historic City Council mayor Datuk Yusof Jantan said no new licence would be issued for those intending to convert their homes into bird breeding places in the heritage zones.

He noted that the city’s heritage zones were of particular concern to heritage authorities as they belonged to the world in general owing to its WHS status.

Malacca Bird’s Nest Merchants Association president John Chen Joon Onn said he was relieved to learn of the deferred deadline.

“The members in the heritage zones have been worried as their status remained unclear over the last several months despite several meetings with officials here.

“They were told to wait but no deadline was given,” he said.

He hoped that the Heritage Department would allow the present operators to remain in the area as a way to preserve the city’s swiftlet population.

“The birds have been a part of the historic city’s skyline over the past few centuries, even before the streets were built.

“If we get rid of them, we will also be destroying part of the city’s living heritage,” he said.

Locally harvested bird’s nests can fetch between RM1,500 and RM5,000 per kg depending on quality.

Bird’s nest harvesting has spawned a thriving industry, including manufacturing of canned drinks for the local and export markets.

One-year reprieve for swiflet breeders

Saturday December 20, 2008
The Star

THE state government has brought good as well as bad news to swif-let breeders operating in residential premises in Penang.

They can continue with their operations for another one year as it has extended the three-year moratorium which will expire end of the month.

This, said State Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs committee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, is to enable the state to review the current industry policies and guidelines.

However, he said the breeders in George Town’s heritage area must put a stop to the playing of the swiftlet song recordings.

“They must also tear down all illegal extensions.

“During the extension period, all new applications for swiftlet breeding licenses will be frozen until new guidelines and policies are formulated,” he said in a statement yesterday. Abdul Malik said the one-year extension was decided by the newly-established Swiftlet Industry Management Committee which met on Dec 11.

He said the extension was to enable the committee to study the current guidelines and policies and make the necessary amendments.

He said two new sub-committees had also been created to study the short and long-term management of the swiftlet industry.

“The Swiftlet Industry Technical Management Committee (short term) will be handled by the state’s Local Government unit and will concentrate on helping swiftlet operators deal with the new deadline.

“The long-term committee, on the other hand, will be put under the Veterinary Services Depart-ment and it will be responsible for studying the relocation of swiftlet breeding areas to more appropriate locations like an eco-park or agricultural zone,” he said.

A ban on swiftlet breeding activities in residential premises was announced in November 2005 and operators who could not comply with the regulations were given three years to relocate.

There are currently more than 100 breeders still operating from houses in George Town.

Swiftlet business soaring high in Pahang

Friday December 5, 2008
The Star
By ROSLINA MOHAMAD

KUANTAN: A total of 1,489 swiftlet premises have been developed by 1,036 operators in Pahang.

Kuantan topped the list with 700 premises managed by 500 operators followed by Rompin, Pekan, Temerloh, Jerantut, Bera, Bentong and Raub.

State Agriculture, Agro-based Industries and Felda Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Tan Aminuddin Ishak said the high demands for swiftlet nests in the Chinese community made it a lucrative business.

The migration of the birds from caves to towns helped people set up new business ventures, he said. “The annual trade in Malaysia is estimated to be worth RM500mil. In Pahang alone it is worth RM36mil,” he said here recently.Tan Aminuddin said the bird’s raw nest could fetch between RM1,000 and RM2,000 per kilogram.

Interest in the industry was so high that commercial buildings and homes had been converted into nesting places, he added.

However, there were certain issues which needed attention, especially the risk of disease, bird droppings, cleanliness of towns, noise pollution, price of property devalued and depreciation in quality of life, Tan Aminuddin said.

In view of this, the Veterinary Services Department was committed in providing training on good animal husbandry practice, he added.

“This practice had been made a requirement under local government by-laws before the issuance of licences.

“The department has organised courses on this practice for operators to enable them to get the permits,” he said.

Tan Aminuddin also said the department would carry out checks from time to time to ensure the premises were free of diseases and did not pose risks to the public and the birds.

“The swiftlet industry has great potential for farmers in the state but there is a need to check its development to avoid conflicts and health risks.

“If properly managed, the industry can contribute to the state’s coffers with farmers earning good incomes,” he added.